Parsha Parenting

March 11, 2011

This week's parsha is Parshas Vayikra, the title of which comes from the word "to call". While the parenting tips and tools that we've been learning here from Eydl Reznik's wonderful installments often come from many aspects of the Parsha, I thought it was interesting to note that this week's lesson is referred to in the title of the Parsha itself. So, in essence, we as parents are being called upon to do our very best to make our children feel loved and wanted, and to help boost their self esteem wherever possible. And guess what, you can do that by simply calling a child by his name, and using his name on loving notes and other types of things you might post around the house. Simple right? Take a few minutes to read this week's installment and gain some really valuable insight about the power of a name.

February 24, 2011

This week in Parshas Vayakhel, we learn one very important lesson as parents: make an effort to eat meals together as often as possible. Yes, children grow and often have their own schedules that don't work with the rest of the family, and this can indeed be a challenge, but do make every effort to sit down together as often as possible — this is what keeps the family unit alive, and the members of the family connected and content. Read this week's installment of Parsha Parenting, and you'll also learn about how the Jewish people have been following this advice for thousands of years. Often no small task today, but when concerned parents realize the extreme importance of sitting down together, they can certainly make it happen.

February 17, 2011

The lessons we learn from this week's Parsha, Parsha Ki Sisi, are the kind of lessons that we, as women and mothers can use not to say "ha, told you so", to the men in our lives, but rather to quietly absorb and use to boost our confidence in everything we do. Women have unique abilities that men do not have. It's that simple. Sorry guys.

And according to our Sages, Jewish women have used these qualities to save the Jewish nation from obliteration in every generation, including ours! Powerful right? So take a few minutes to learn about your unique position as a women, and lets get to work saving the world. Okay, maybe that's a little big for most of us, lets start with our own families.

February 09, 2011

After last week's very poignant parenting post by Eydl Reznik regarding ADHD mis-diagnosis (if you missed it you really should take a moment to read it) we're back with Parsha Parenting. I think you'll find this installment really interesting— from learning the specific reasons why the Jewish people have preserved the Torah for so many thousands of years, and what kind of character traits the Jewish people expect from their leaders to the specifics about the garments worn by the High Priest in the Holy Temple. And hopefully we'll all be working on our ultimate goal as parents —to be respectful and moral role models. Right here is a good place to start.

January 26, 2011

In this week's installment of Parsha Parenting, Eydl Reznik talks about rules and their importance. When one understands the importance of rules and the necessity in helping our children learn to follow rules, we'll never be tempted to bark another rule—we'll explain the rules with patience and love, which will result in turn, in children who will respect rules and will be concerned with following them as moral individuals. Sounds like something we all could work on, right? Whether we're too strict, or not strict enough, this weeks installment can help all of us on the path to being fantastic parents.

January 14, 2011

In this week's Parsha, Parshas Beshalach, we learn about the experiences of the Jewish people as they traveled in the dessert on their way to Mt. Sinai, and how they reacted to their circumstances. This is an amazing story to discuss with our children as we explain to them why it isn't helpful to complain and demand. And if our children are too young to understand this example, then in any case, as with children of any age, we as parents need to learn how to gently steer our children away from negative behavior. I think you'll enjoy this one, it's to the point and something all of us can put into practice right away. You can do it, I started just a minute ago as a child was telling me something as I was typing!

December 27, 2010

In this week's Torah portion, Parshas Vayeirah, we learn through Moshe Rabbeinu about "recognizing the good" in everything, and the importance of gratitude and giving thanks. I highly recommend taking a few minutes to read this week's poignant lesson. It will give you that extra push you need to really take the time to teach your children the importance of saying "thank you." And if you're not a parent, or your children are grown, there are certainly invaluable lessons to be learned which apply to everyone in their relationships with others and in their everyday existence. Don't miss this one.

December 20, 2010

This week we are starting a new book in the Chumash, the Five Books of Moses. This week's Parsha Parenting, written by Eydl Reznik, summarizes the important points in the parsha for parents, is moving and powerful, and will give you not only some great food for thought but some great topics to discuss with your children. May we all strive to be caring and compassionate individuals like Moshe Rabeinu. And may we use these valuable lessons to strengthen all of our relationships with those around us, today, tomorrow and always.

December 15, 2010

It is with great relief that I bring you the fourth installment of our newish weekly parenting mini-series called Parsha Parenting! I've really started to look forward to Eydl Reznik and Elana Trachtman's condensed weekly Parsha primer for parents—and when it almost didn't happen this week due to power outages and other pressing and unexpected obligations in the life of our writer, well I felt like something was missing! So I'm so very happy to bring you this latest installment, a very touching one for parents, and certainly worth deep consideration.The world has changed immensely since the time of our forefather Yaakov, and yet his example of the best way in which to speak to our children still applies today, not only 100%, but more than ever!

November 29, 2010

I now bring you the third installment of our new weekly parenting mini-series called Parsha Parenting! I'm so grateful that I have the opporutunity to include something like this here on Creative Jewish Mom, because I have to say, I'm really starting to look forward to Eydl Reznik and Elana Trachtman's condensed weekly Parsha primer for parents— interesting and right to the point, and perfect for those of us who, ahem, have been just a bit on the too busy side lately to delve into learning of this nature. The thing is, you can't put parenting on hold for your busy life, so do at least take a few moments to read this weekly series. I think you'll like it!